Insurance Group: 16
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
0-62 Mph: 13.5 secs
BHP: 88 BHP
Range: N/A miles
PROS: This is one of the best electric cars on the market and this version comes with a generous range of equipment, while it is also fun to drive and is one of the most refined cars available.
CONS: The practicality issues of an electric car will always depend on your lifestyle, as the ZOE only has a 130 mile range in the best of driving conditions, and there is a monthly fee to lease the battery for the car too.
With consistent power providing the ZOE with smooth acceleration throughout the range up to a maximum speed of 87mph, it is a very different driving experience to the usual manual petrol vehicle. The suspension is perfect for use around town as it soaks up bumps with no problems, but it can be a little less comfortable when driving at speed. The steering is quick to respond and there is plenty of grip when turning into corners, giving the car a very good driving experience on the whole, particularly around town.
The spacious cabin and adjustment in the steering wheel means most drivers should be able to get comfortable, although the lack of height adjustment can leave taller drivers a little close to the ceiling. One aspect that every driver will need to monitor is the range of the car, and while it can achieve 130 miles in optimum conditions, this can drop below 100 miles during the winter, and it will always be important to keep an eye on the battery levels.
Like many other electric cars on the market, the ZOE has been designed to enjoy a bold and attractive look that will help it to stand out from the range of other city cars that are currently on the market. The bulging front bumper and narrow grille give the car a distinctive look, with the small spoiler adding to the sporty feel. The car is supplied with steel wheels as standard, although the upgrade to alloy wheels is reasonably priced and well worth the investment for those who want extra style.
Elsewhere in the car, there is plenty of equipment included as standard, including a satellite navigation system, parking camera and leather trim on the steering wheel. Bluetooth connectivity and a USB input for the stereo are welcome features that will appeal to younger drivers, while the automatic wipers and lights mean that you don't even have to worry about noticing when it rains or starts to get dark.
The major practicality obstacle for the ZOE is the range of the car, and particularly in a country like Britain where cold winters and darker days are standard, it is unlikely to regularly achieve a range over 100 miles at a time. Inside the cabin the car is a pleasant and practical place to travel, with plenty of headroom and legroom that will allow four adults to sit in relative comfort.
The car achieved five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests thanks to a good range of air bags and stability control to help keep it on the road, while it also has an external noise emitter to let pedestrians know there is a car coming. The batteries are always the biggest question when it comes to reliability in electric cars, but the lithium ion batteries in these cars have been extensively tested.
With a list price of £20,195, the ZOE may appear to be quite expensive, but it becomes a lot more affordable with the inclusion of a five thousand pound discount paid for by the government. The other expense for the car is that there is a monthly fee for leasing the battery, which has to be considered. However, this is less than many drivers will spend every month in petrol, and the low running costs of the electricity are very attractive indeed.
The ZOE is supplied with a reassuring four year or a hundred thousand mile warranty, and also has roadside breakdown assistance in case the car runs out of battery or hits another mishap.
Electric cars have often been touted as the future of motoring in a world where petrol is becoming scarcer and more expensive, and the ZOE is the latest in a generation of models that offer a full ...
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